Berlin Among NFL’s Aggressive European Growth Plans

The NFL is in the midst of its much-hyped two-week stay in Frankfurt, but Germany’s capital city might soon get its shot at hosting American football.

Amid the league’s increasing European expansion, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed that Berlin is a possibility to host future games, as well as Düsseldorf. 

“We’re going to continue to play here in some fashion,” Goodell said.

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Miami Dolphins 21-14 in front of more than 50,000 fans at Deutsche Bank Park, home to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and host for next weekend’s game between the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Last year, Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers played in Munich against the Seattle Seahawks.

The NFL is in the second year of a four-year deal to play games in Germany. It will likely return to Munich next season and Frankfurt again in 2025. Meanwhile, Madrid, Spain, and Sao Paulo, Brazil still appear likely to garner strong consideration for an NFL game next season.

Panthers Up Next?

The Carolina Panthers could be the next NFL team to host a home game in Germany, according to NBC Sports. After Tampa, Kansas City, and New England, Carolina is the only franchise that initially acquired German rights in 2021 — via the NFL’s Global Markets Program — that hasn’t yet played a game in Germany. 

The Atlanta Falcons also have rights in Germany, which were acquired only earlier this year.